Thread transporting roller



- Sept. 5, 1967 w. GOLLOS 3,339,819

THREAD TRANS PORT I NG ROLLER Filed Feb. 12, 1965 I FIGZ TAKE-UP SPOOL TINVENTOR:

( 3533 WOLFGANG GOLLOS W g-1J5 M (im ATT'YS United States Patent f3,339,819 THREAD TRANSPORTING ROLLER Wolfgang Gollos, Klingenberg,Germany, assignor to Vereinigte Glanzstoif-Fabriken A.G.,Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,329Claims priority, applicatiorsr 9(gar-many, Feb. 15, 1964,

1 6 Claims. (Cl. 226-190) This invention relates to a threadtransporting roller for conveying or guiding continuous threads,filaments and especially fine yarns during various textile operations,for example as a lead or delivery roller in combination with a take-upspool during the collection of freshly spun filaments. Moreparticularly, the invention is concerned with a thread transportingroller which can be disassembled for cleaning without completelyremoving it from its drive shaft.

Thread transporting rollers adapted to receive a thread or yarn inrunning contact over a circumferential surface are well known in theart, and many forms of construction in which the roller has a generallycylindrical shape and in which various designs or configurations areexhibited by the thread running surface are also known, theseconstructions being generally useful for the purposes of the presentinvention. These rollers are adapted to be mounted on a shaft androtated at peripheral speeds corresponding approximately to the linearspeed of the thread. In the case of lead rollers, the speed of therotating roller is usually adjusted to regulate the longitudinal tensionbeing placed on the thread as it is transported to the take-up spool.

During operation of the roller, broken filament ends in the thread oryarn sometimes cause an undesirable winding or raveling in the form of atangled collection of threads around the transporting roller, especiallywhere the thread contacting surface in the form of a groove is capableof frictional engagement with the running thread. These so-calledwinders of twisted and tangled thread accumulations on the roller cannotbe removed without shutting oif the particular machine position orroller, and this involves a considerable expenditure of time andinterruption in the continuous handling of the thread.

Such winders are unavoidable in any practical commercial operation andoccur relatively frequently because of the large number of individualmachine positions and rollers corresponding to the total number ofindividual threads or yarns being handled. Therefore, the necessity offirst stopping a roller, before it can be taken apart and the winderremoved, has been quite troublesome and very expensive.

One object of the present invention is to provide a thread transportingroller which offers the possibility of rapidly and easily removingwinders therefrom while the particular machine position which isaffected and even the roller continues to run at its normal speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a thread transportingroller adapted to be mounted on the end of a rotating drive shaft insuch a manner that at least the outermost portion or segment of theroller can be detached and/or reinserted by hand while the shaft isstill rotating.

Still-another object is to provide a thread transporting roller in whicha first element can be firmly connected to a rotating drive shaft whilea second element having a peripheral thread receiving surface isdetachably connected to the first element solely by magnetic force,preferably with contacting surfaces of the two elements being infrictional engagement'for transmission of torque. These and otherobjects and advantages of the inven- Patented. Sept. 5, 1967 tion willbecome more apparent upon consideration of the following disclosure ofspecific thread transporting rollers.

In accordance with the invention it has now been found that asubstantial improvement is achieved in removing undesirable threadaccumulations or otherwise cleaning a rotatable thread transportingroller if it is constructed from two elements which are detachablycentered on a common axis and which have oppositely disposed inner facespreferably in at least partial frictional contact with each other fortransmission of torque. In addition, magnetic means are contained in theopposing faces of these two elements for adherence of one to the otherwhile one of the elements is adapted to be firmly connected to arotatable drive shaft, the magnetic force being sufiiciently great tohold the second element in place during rotation of the roller forthread transport and sufficiently small to permit disengagement andremoval of the second element while continuing the rotation of the firstelement. Thus, the inner opposing face of one element can be soconstructed and arranged to contain permanent magnets secured theretowhile the inner 0pposing face of the other element contains an annularring composed of a ferromagnetic substance of high permeability, i.e.low remanence and high magnetizability. The magnets should generally besituated in annular positions approximately opposite the ferromagneticring when the two elements are in the assembled position of the roller.

Particular lead or delivery rollers are shown by way of example in theaccompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view in which the right-hand portion ofthe roller is connected to a drive shaft while the left-hand portion hasbeen detached and removed to a position in which its axis is turned at aangle to the axis of the drive shaft;

FIG. 2 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the roller of FIG. 1 whenassembled and the two elements thereof adhered by magnetic force;

' FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view as in FIG. 1 but illustrating adifferent roller construction;

FIG. 4 is a diametric cross-sectional view of the roller of FIG. 3 inits assembled position; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which the threadtransporting roller cooperates with a take-up spool.

Both types of rollers as illustrated in the drawing consist of one partwhich is firmly'attached or connected to a drive shaft and a removablepart which slips freely over the end of the drive shaft. Both parts ofthe roller are held together in their assembled position by permanentmagnets and consist of a number of subsidiary structural components asdescribed in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a roller corresponding tothe ball race type conventional for transporting normal textile threadsis divided into two separable members'l and 2, the latter beingconnected firmly with the drive shaft 3 (shown by broken lines in FIG.2) by means of a clamping spring 4 having a lug 5 which engages in arecess of the shaft. Each of the separable members has a substantiallycylindrical base support 6 and 7, respectively, the outer face of eachsupport being recessed to hold a clamping spring and the inner face ofeach support carrying magnetic coupling means. Only one of thesesupports 6 is connected inwardly from but adjacent to the end of thedrive shaft, the other support 7 slipping freely over the end of theshaft. However, because of the symmetrical construction of thesesupports, their position on the shaft is interchangeable simply bytransferring the clamping spring 4 from one to the other.

The thread receiving cups 8 and 9 are held in place by the retainingrings and 11, respectively, which in turn are firmly attached to thesupports by means of a number of screws 12 and 13 positionedconcentrically around the center axis. The outer peripheral rims 14 and15 of these cups have smooth surfaces and form a shallow groove in whichthe thread is received and contained in actual operation of the roller.The flanges 16 and 17 of these cups form opposing annular surfacescontaining a plurality of shallow deformations or semisphericalprojections 18 and 19 which are spaced at uniform intervals around thecircumference of each flange. When the two members are assembled, theseprojections contact and intermesh with each other so as to assist intransmitting torque from the fixed member 2 to the member 1 freelymounted on the shaft. These projections or similar contacting surfacescan be further coated with any substance which will increase theirsliding friction.

The annular retaining ring 10 preferably consists of a nonmagneticmaterial and has six concentrically arranged depressions or recessedopenings in which permanent magnets 20 are inserted and secured by anadhesive or other suitable bonding agent. The outwardly exposed fiatsurfaces of these cylindrically shaped magnets fall in a single planeperpendicular to the axis of the roller, and the size, shape and numberof the magnets depends upon the properties of the magnetic material andthe desired magnetic force.

The annular ring 11 attached to the other member 2 consists of aferromagnetic material with a low remanence but a high magnetizability,preferably being composed of so-called soft iron. This magnetizable ring11 is arranged in an annular position opposite the magnets 20 so as toprovide the maximum attraction between the magnets and the magnetizablering regardless of the relative position of the two members 1 and 2 onthe drive shaft. However, in 'order to keep the ring 11 from sticking tothe magnets 20, it is desirable to arrange the various components suchthat While he cups 14 and 15 contact each other in the assembledposition of the two members, a slight air gap a separates the magnetsfrom the magnetizable ring.

Another embodiment of a lead or delivery roller is shown in FIGS. 3 and4 and is adapted to be used for conveying freshly spun elastomericthreads, as explained in greater detail in my copending application,filed concurrently herewith. For purposes of the present invention, thisroller is constructed in a manner similar to the previously describedroller with two separable members 21 and 22, the latter being connectedto the drive shaft 23 by means of set screw 24 in sleeve 25 and theformer fitting freely over the drive shaft and attached solely bymagnetic coupling means.

The sleeve 25 and cylindrical side plate 26 are preferably integral witheach other and composed of a nonmagnetic material. The inner recessedface 27 of the plate 26 has two cylindrical magnets 28 embedded orseated therein so that the exposed flat surfaces of the magnets aresubstantially flush with the inner face 27.

The thread receiving grooved annular ring 29 contains a plurality ofequidistantly spaced radial openings 30 and is specially designed toconvey elastomeric threads under substantially zero tension to a take-upspool. This grooved ring 29 is held in place on the side plate 31 ofmember 21 by the retaining ring 32 and screws 33. This retaining ring 32is composed of a ferromagnetic material of low remanence and highmagnetizability and has an outwardly projecting circumferential flange32' directly opposite the magnets 28 and at least partially overlappingthese magnets. Again, to prevent sticking, the inner face 27 of member22 is recessed sufficiently to provide a slight air gap a between thering 32 and the magnets 28.

In order to provide higher torque transmission after the two membershave been magnetically coupled, the contacting surfaces 34 of side plate26 and grooved ring 29 can be coated with a substance which increasestheir frictional adhesion. Alternatively, these surfaces can beindented, scored or roughened in the form of so-called Hirth serrations,thereby increasing their frictional adhesion and consequently improvingthe torque transmission.

In the operation of these rollers, the innermost member is clampedsecurely to the shaft a short distance from the end thereof, and theoutermost member is then seated freely on the end of the shaft,preferably so that the shaft does not protrude more than a shortdistance out of the roller and still more preferably 50 that the shaftis journaled completely within the outermost member 21 as shown in FIG.4.

The magnetic coupling of the two members is sufiicient to hold theoutermost or removable member in place during rotation with a threadrunning in contact with the grooved surface, particularly if there isadditional frictional adherence between contacting surfaces. The groovedsurface should be at least partly located in the removable memberbecause winders of broken thread or other deposits or accumulations suchas dust or oil are generally located in this groove. When such problemsarise, it is then quite easy and convenient to grasp the outermostmember to stop its rotation and slip it off the end of the drive shaftfor cleaning. A corresponding detachable member which is already cleancan be immediately slipped onto the shaft and magnetically coupled, sothat very little time is lost in removing winders" from any rollerposition.

FIG. 5 merely illustrates the well-known manner in which a thread T isguided and/0r conveyed around a lead roller to a rotatably driventake-up spool or bobbin. In general, this combination of lead rollerandtake-up spool will be repeated many times in a commercialinstallation, corresponding to a large number of spinning and windingpositions.

It will be apparent that the shape and arrangement of the various rollercomponents can be considerably altered without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Forexample, the size and shape of the magnets as well as the number andarrangement of these magnets on the inner face of one of the twoseparable elements is quite arbitary. It would be feasible to employ aconcentric ring-shaped magnet opposite the magnetizable ring or oppositea number of individual magnetizable inserts, but it is more convenientto use permanent magnets having the familiar form of relatively thin,fiat discs, wafers or bars. Also, instead of a continuous magnetizablering, it can be broken into a number of individual segments or can beformed by a number of progressively smaller concentric rings. It isdesirable, however, to use a substantially continuous ring in order tomake certain that the magnets will be opposite the magnetizablecomponent regardless of the position of rotation of the two elements.

Although it is possible to make these variations in the magneticcoupling structure as well as many variations in the remainingstructure, it has been found that the magnets should be employed in asufiicient number and strength to give a total adhesion or couplingforce of at least about 1 kilogram up to about 10 kilograms, preferablyabout 1.5 to 8 kilograms.

The lower limit of about 1 to 1.5 kg. is generally necessary to providea strong coupling, and the transmission of torque can be increased ifthere are Hirth serrations or so-called planar notch indentations in thecontacting surfaces on the inner opposing faces of the separateelements.

On the other hand, it is recommended that the maximum magnetic couplingforce not exceed an amount of about'8 to 10 kg. so that a separation ofthe two detachable elements by hand does not become too dangerous. Ifthis upper limit is still not sufficient by itself to ensure thetransmission of torque because of the size or weight of the two halvesof the roller, then it is again advisable to employ such measures asHirth-type serrations or a suitable coating on the contacting surfacesin order to increase their coefiicient of friction. In this, manner, ahigher torque can be transmitted than would otherwise be possible withthe same magnetic coupling force.

The magnetically coupled rollers according to the invention arerelatively simple to manufacture and individual components are readilyinterchangeable. There are relatively few contacting surfaces so thatwear and damage are kept to a minimum. Cleaning or removal of winderscan be accomplished without shutting down a machine position and withoutthe use of special tools normally required to tediously dismantleexisting rollers. The amount of labor is correspondingly reduced by aconsiderable extent, and there is only a very slight interruption in thecontinuous transfer of thread because of the rapid manner in which theouter or detachable roller element can be replaced by another on therotating drive shaft.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a thread transporting roller having a grooved outercircumferential surface adapted to engage a thread or yarn in runningcontact therewith, the improvement of two roller elements detachablycentered on a common axis and having oppositely disposed inner faces,the inner opposing face of one element containing permanent magnetssecured thereto and the inner opposing face of the other elementcontaining an annular ring composed of a ferromagnetic material of lowremanence and high magnetizability, said magnets being situated inannular positions opposite said ring in the assembled position of thetwo elements with sufiicient magnetic force to couple one element whenfreely mounted on a rotating drive shaft to the other element whenconnected firmly for rotation with said drive shaft.

2. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and magnetizablering provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements ofapproximately 1 to kilograms.

3. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and magnetizablering provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements of about1.5 to 8 kilograms.

4. A roller as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnets and said ring areplaced opposite each other in such a manner as to provide a small airgap therebetween in the assembled position of the two elements.

5. In a thread transporting roller having a grooved outercircumferential surface adapted to receive a thread in running contacttherewith, the improvement of two roller elements detachably centered ona common axis and having oppositely disposed inner faces, the inneropposing face of one element containing permanent magnets securedthereto and the inner opposing face of the other element containing anannular ring composed of a ferromagnetic material of low remanence andhigh magnetizability, said magnets being situated in annular positionsopposite said ring in the assembled position of the two elements withsuflicient magnetic force to couple one element when freely mounted on arotating drive shaft to the other element when connected firmly forrotation with said drive shaft, the contacting surfaces in the inneropposing faces of the two elements carrying shallow deformationsengaging in one another, thereby providing a corresopndingly highertorque transmission between said elements.

6. A roller as claimed in claim 5 wherein said magnets and magnetizablering provide a magnetic coupling force between said elements ofapproximately 1 to 10 kilograms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,773 10/1952 Ammerall 2422,956,658 10/1960 Jaeschke 19284 3,100,091 8/1963 Mindheim 242-1503,154,260 10/1964 Stanislao 226- X M. HENSON FOOD, JR., PrimaryExaminer.

R. A. SCHACHER, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A THREAD TRANSPORTING ROLLER HAVING A GROOVED OUTERCIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A THREAD OR YARN IN RUNNINGCONTACT THEREWITH, THE IMPROVEMENT OF TWO ROLLER ELEMENTS DETACHABLYCENTERED ON A COMMON AXIS AND HAVING OPPOSITELY DISPOSED INNER FACES,THE INNER OPPOSING FACE OF ONE ELEMENT CONTAINING PERMANENT MAGNETSSECURED THERETO AND THE INNER OPPOSING FACE OF THE OTHER ELEMENTCONTAINING AN ANNULAR RING COMPOSED OF A FERROMAGNETIC MATERIAL OF LOWREMANENCE AND HIGH MAGNETIZABILITY, SAID MAGNETS BEING SITUATED INANNULAR POSITIONS OPPOSITE SAID RING IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION OF THETWO ELEMENTS WITH SUFFICIENT MAGNETIC FORCE TO COUPLE ONE ELEMENT WHENFREELY MOUNTED ON A ROTATING DRIVE SHAFT TO THE OTHER ELEMENT WHENCONNECTED FIRMLY FOR ROTATION WITHE SAID DRIVE SHAFT.